The NSS Bulletin - ISSN 1090-6924
Volume 41 Number 3: 80-88 - July 1979
A publication of the National Speleological Society

Karst Landforms in the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains, Utah
William B. White

Abstract

A widespread but subdued karst has developed on the Mississippian carbonate rocks of the Wasatch Front Range and in the Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah. Surface landforms in the Wasatch Mountains include scattered areas of limestone pavement, a remnant pinnacle karst, and small caves. Underground drainage is more common in the Uinta Range. The caves are somewhat larger and are frequently related to sinking streams. Caves in the Wasatch are mainly controlled by faults and fracture zones and have little relation to the local drainage. Alpine glaciation has obliterated some karst forms and buried others in morainic material. High dolomite content of the Mississippian carbonate rocks is a strong controlling influence and results in subdued landforms. There is some evidence for post-karst tectonic movements.

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